Jiu Jitsu and wrestling

In October, the boys started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at a gym in town. The boys go to class typically 3 days a week, where they receive a mixture of instruction learning new moves, do lots of repetition to practice, and on Thursday it’s open mat for grappling. In addition to learning self-defense, the boys are learning about respect, discipline, humility, commitment, and friendship. The boys have really enjoyed the training, and are always looking forward to going to class. These two videos are from grappling nights. There are always multiple instructors per class and on these nights, instructors work with two kids at a time while they grapple and they help guide the fight and keep the kids safe. In jiu jitsu there is no kicking or punching, the goal is to obtain dominance and get your opponent into a submissive position.

Another value at the gym is creating a family environment and they work hard to include families in everything, from training, to competitions and events. In December, the gym had a white elephant Christmas Party for the kids and families and they had a great time playing with the other students.

The gym recently added Wrestling on Fridays. One of the head instructors is from the area and he wrestled  as a youth, then went on to coach wresting for middle schoolers in the area, and he also wrestled at Virginia Military Institute. He has a passion for the sport and wanted to offer training at the gym. Caleb is planning to tryout for wrestling this winter, so this will prepare him with the fundamentals of the sport before tryouts later in January. 

The boys are really enjoying the training, and we are looking forward to watching them grow in this new sport.

Fall festivities and visit with the Purcells

We love all things about fall. The weather, the changing colors, and fun activities that come with it. During the fall, we also pull out puzzles. The first one the kids wanted to do this year was their cat puzzle. They worked on it for a few days, and discovered there were some pieces that didn’t make it from Turkey.

The elementary school held a trunk or treat the week before Hallloween. Benjamin dressed up as an animae character and Eliza was Ariel from the Little Mermaid.

On actual Halloween, the kids went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was their first Halloween in the US since they were infants. They caught onto the concept quickly, and came home with a lot of candy. Caleb went trick or treating with another friend in the neighborhood, and Benjamin went trick or treating with a group of friends and a few parents. Eliza and I joined them for a little while, and came home when Eliza was tired, and Nathan stayed at the house to pass out candy to all the kids. It was a fun evening, and they brought home so much candy that we ate it for probably the next month. 

Caleb was Tanjiro from the animae Demon Slayer

Benjamin was Zenitsu from the animae Demon Slayer

Eliza was a cute witch.

In early November, Mark and Betty came to visit for the week. I had to go out of town for a few days and they also helped us with the kids that week. Grandma helped Eliza with a Thanksgiving  project to hide a turkey - they did a good job!

Another day they went to Skyzone…the kids favorite place!

Another day they met up with Ron and Nancy for lunch then Ron and Nancy came back to our house for a visit to see Nathan and the kids. 

Another day, Nathan and I unpacked some boxes and Mark and Betty took the kids to the Air and Space Museum by Dulles Airport. They have a nice observatory over looking the runway where you can watch planes take off and land.

Standing in front of one’s of the space shuttles - it is a very impressive museum.

And the best part of the museum (according to the kids) is the iMax theater.

They were here to see Caleb and Benjamin do jitsu, Caleb and Eliza’s gymnastics, and Benjamin’s last two soccer games. It was a fun visit and we are thankful they could come be with us for the week and have some time to relax during their stay.